Real Madrid should be thankful Cristiano Ronaldo was determined to sprint through the finish line in 2016.
The soccer superstar scored a hat trick Sunday in Real Madrid’s 4-2 win over Kashima Antlers in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup final. This latest triumph caps a year in which Ronaldo scooped a record haul of team and individual trophies.
https://twitter.com/AllFootballLive/status/810503351121092609
Ronaldo first player ever to win Club World Cup, Champions League, European Championships & Ballon D’Or in the same year.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) December 18, 2016
Kashima Antlers, champions of the J-League (Japanese first division), frightened Real Madrid during the contest, taking a surprise 2-1 lead after 51 minutes. That’s when Ronaldo upped his game.
The Portuguese forward scored from the penalty spot in the 60th minute to make the score 2-2.
Cristiano Ronaldo got Real Madrid quickly back on level terms in the final with a splendid penalty goal. #ClubWC https://t.co/R0LOg5LNNu
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 18, 2016
Neither side would score again during normal time, and the game went into extra time.
Ronaldo made the most of the extra 30 minutes, scoring the game-winning goal in the 98th minute and adding another for insurance in the 104th.
RONALDOOOO! @Cristiano's 2nd goal of the final gives Real Madrid the lead in extra time. #ClubWC https://t.co/u1rzvdQG6m
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 18, 2016
HAT TRICK! @Cristiano scores another to give Real an insurance goal in extra time of the #ClubWC final. https://t.co/gSGkxCg9cF
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 18, 2016
Ronaldo won the tournament’s Golden Ball Award as its best player and crowned the finest year of his career in style.
Cristiano Ronaldo's week:
Monday: Wins Ballon d'Or 🏆
Thursday: Scores 500th club goal ⚽️
Sunday: Scores 40th Real Madrid hat-trick 👑 pic.twitter.com/HhGMZf5Zhx— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 18, 2016
“This is the trophy we really wanted to end the year in the best way possible,” Ronaldo said after the game, according to The BBC. “I didn’t think it would end like this: winning the final, scoring three goals and helping Real Madrid.
“I’d like to thank my teammates yet again, because I cannot win individual trophies without them.
“We won the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup. I also won the Euros with Portugal. It was a perfect year. I am very happy to end the year in such a way.”
Real Madrid now will take its winter break, giving Ronaldo and Co. a much-deserved break from competitive play until Jan. 7.
They should use the time to rest. Real Madrid will be busy in 2017.
2016 Club World Cup scores >>
Thumbnail photo via YouTube/FIFATV
